Over 20 years ago, this all started with a love for art, storytelling, and culture. Māori art has always fascinated me—not just for its beauty but for its depth, its ability to carry whakapapa, values, and identity. But looking around, we saw a gap. Authentic Māori art and everyday functional māori themed products made with integrity, was often overshadowed by mass-produced imitations. That’s where Revolution Aotearoa began—a mission to create meaningful, high-quality Māori art products that our people can connect with.
But let’s be real—it’s a tough gig.
We’re in a very niche space, creating something that’s more of a want than a need. That alone makes it challenging. On top of that, we’re competing with mainstream brands that appeal to the masses—big stores that can churn out cheap, factory-made products with Māori-inspired designs. Many people expect our pricing to match what they see in multinational stores, but the reality is, we manufacture most of what we sell.
Our focus is on authentic Māori art and Māori-designed everyday objects for the home—beautiful, functional pieces that bring Toi Māori into daily life. Whether it’s artwork, jewelry, homeware, or accessories, we’re not just making products; we’re weaving whakapapa and meaning into each creation.
If we truly broke it down—factoring in the time, materials, and energy it takes to design, produce, market, and sell—we’d probably be earning under minimum wage. That’s the truth of running an independent creative business. For the most part, we’re running on passion.
And while 90% of what we do is made in-house, it’s true—we’ve had to get some products made offshore. But we’re heavily involved in the process, ensuring the integrity of our designs is maintained. We also do our own prototyping/sampling inhouse for most products, which can take weeks/months. The reality is, we just don’t have the manpower to meet the full expectations of a brand like ours. And to stay in the game, to have a fighting chance against mass-produced alternatives, we have to find ways to compete—even if just a little.
So why do we keep going? Because despite the challenges, this work matters. Seeing people connect with our mahi, hearing their stories, watching them light up when they find a piece that speaks to them—that’s what fuels us. This is more than a business; it’s a kaupapa, it is a mission, necessary.
We’re evolving, growing, and pushing forward. Our vision is to forge a modern Māori lifestyle brand that upholds the integrity of Mahi Toi while carving out space in the contemporary world.
And we’re doing it our way.
Ngā mihi—thank you for being part of this journey.
~W